NACC PSW EXAM (ACTUAL) 2024 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A PSW is assisting a patient with Alzheimer's disease who is experiencing significant
memory loss and confusion. During the interaction, the patient becomes agitated and tries
to leave the room. What is the most appropriate action for the PSW to take to ensure the
patient’s safety and provide effective support?
a) Reassure the patient calmly and redirect their attention to a familiar activity (✔️)
b) Attempt to physically restrain the patient to prevent them from leaving the room
c) Immediately call for additional assistance from the healthcare team
d) Ignore the patient’s agitation as it is likely a temporary phase
Rationale: Reassuring the patient calmly and redirecting their attention helps to address their
agitation in a non-threatening manner. Physical restraint should be avoided, and calling for
assistance is only necessary if the situation escalates.
2. A PSW is caring for a patient with diabetes who has a new prescription for insulin. The
patient expresses concerns about managing their insulin injections. How should the PSW
address these concerns to ensure the patient is confident and knowledgeable about their
new regimen?
a) Provide the patient with detailed instructions on how to administer insulin, including
demonstration and written materials (✔️)
b) Advise the patient to ask their family for assistance with injections
c) Refer the patient to a dietitian for additional information on managing diabetes
,d) Tell the patient to monitor their blood sugar and wait for further instructions from their
physician
Rationale: Detailed instructions, including demonstration and written materials, will help the
patient feel more confident and knowledgeable about administering insulin. Involving family or
referring to a dietitian might be helpful but is secondary to providing direct instruction.
3. A PSW is working with a patient who is recovering from a stroke and is experiencing
difficulty with speech and language. The patient becomes frustrated during communication
attempts. What is the most effective approach for the PSW to use to facilitate
communication and reduce the patient’s frustration?
a) Use simple, short sentences and allow extra time for the patient to respond, showing
patience and understanding (✔️)
b) Encourage the patient to speak more quickly to improve communication efficiency
c) Avoid speaking directly to the patient and focus on communicating with their family members
d) Suggest the patient write down their responses to facilitate communication
Rationale: Using simple, short sentences and allowing extra time demonstrates patience and
facilitates communication, helping to reduce frustration. Encouraging faster speech or avoiding
direct communication can exacerbate the patient’s difficulties.
4. A PSW is providing care for a patient with a colostomy bag. The patient expresses
concerns about skin irritation around the stoma. What should the PSW do to address this
issue and ensure proper care for the colostomy site?
,a) Inspect the area around the stoma, recommend using a barrier cream, and ensure the
colostomy bag is properly fitted (✔️)
b) Advise the patient to increase their fluid intake to reduce irritation
c) Suggest the patient see their physician for a different type of colostomy bag
d) Refrain from inspecting the area and only report the issue to the healthcare team
Rationale: Inspecting the stoma area, recommending a barrier cream, and ensuring proper fitting
of the colostomy bag can help prevent and manage skin irritation. Increased fluid intake is not
directly related to stoma care, and proper inspection is crucial.
5. A PSW is assisting a patient with mobility issues who requires help with transferring
from a bed to a wheelchair. What is the best technique for the PSW to use to ensure the
patient’s safety and comfort during the transfer?
a) Use a transfer belt to provide stability and support while using proper body mechanics
to move the patient (✔️)
b) Ask the patient to try transferring themselves with minimal assistance
c) Perform the transfer quickly to minimize the risk of falls
d) Use a mechanical lift without explaining the process to the patient
Rationale: Using a transfer belt and proper body mechanics ensures safety and comfort during
the transfer. Asking the patient to transfer themselves, rushing the transfer, or using a mechanical
lift without explanation can increase the risk of injury.
, 6. A PSW is providing personal care for a patient with chronic heart failure who is
experiencing shortness of breath. The patient reports feeling more comfortable when
sitting upright. What should the PSW do to best support the patient’s comfort and manage
their symptoms?
a) Assist the patient in sitting up in a high Fowler's position and monitor their respiratory
status closely (✔️)
b) Encourage the patient to lie flat in bed to rest more effectively
c) Provide supplemental oxygen without consulting the healthcare team
d) Limit fluid intake to reduce the patient’s shortness of breath
Rationale: Assisting the patient to sit up in a high Fowler's position can alleviate shortness of
breath and improve comfort. Lying flat, providing oxygen without a prescription, or limiting
fluids may not address the underlying issue effectively.
7. A PSW is caring for a patient who is at risk of developing pressure ulcers due to
immobility. What preventive measure should the PSW implement to reduce the risk of
pressure ulcer formation?
a) Reposition the patient every two hours and use pressure-relieving devices such as special
mattresses or cushions (✔️)
b) Increase the patient's caloric intake to promote healing
c) Encourage the patient to perform range-of-motion exercises independently
d) Apply topical creams daily without repositioning the patient
AND ANSWERS
1. A PSW is assisting a patient with Alzheimer's disease who is experiencing significant
memory loss and confusion. During the interaction, the patient becomes agitated and tries
to leave the room. What is the most appropriate action for the PSW to take to ensure the
patient’s safety and provide effective support?
a) Reassure the patient calmly and redirect their attention to a familiar activity (✔️)
b) Attempt to physically restrain the patient to prevent them from leaving the room
c) Immediately call for additional assistance from the healthcare team
d) Ignore the patient’s agitation as it is likely a temporary phase
Rationale: Reassuring the patient calmly and redirecting their attention helps to address their
agitation in a non-threatening manner. Physical restraint should be avoided, and calling for
assistance is only necessary if the situation escalates.
2. A PSW is caring for a patient with diabetes who has a new prescription for insulin. The
patient expresses concerns about managing their insulin injections. How should the PSW
address these concerns to ensure the patient is confident and knowledgeable about their
new regimen?
a) Provide the patient with detailed instructions on how to administer insulin, including
demonstration and written materials (✔️)
b) Advise the patient to ask their family for assistance with injections
c) Refer the patient to a dietitian for additional information on managing diabetes
,d) Tell the patient to monitor their blood sugar and wait for further instructions from their
physician
Rationale: Detailed instructions, including demonstration and written materials, will help the
patient feel more confident and knowledgeable about administering insulin. Involving family or
referring to a dietitian might be helpful but is secondary to providing direct instruction.
3. A PSW is working with a patient who is recovering from a stroke and is experiencing
difficulty with speech and language. The patient becomes frustrated during communication
attempts. What is the most effective approach for the PSW to use to facilitate
communication and reduce the patient’s frustration?
a) Use simple, short sentences and allow extra time for the patient to respond, showing
patience and understanding (✔️)
b) Encourage the patient to speak more quickly to improve communication efficiency
c) Avoid speaking directly to the patient and focus on communicating with their family members
d) Suggest the patient write down their responses to facilitate communication
Rationale: Using simple, short sentences and allowing extra time demonstrates patience and
facilitates communication, helping to reduce frustration. Encouraging faster speech or avoiding
direct communication can exacerbate the patient’s difficulties.
4. A PSW is providing care for a patient with a colostomy bag. The patient expresses
concerns about skin irritation around the stoma. What should the PSW do to address this
issue and ensure proper care for the colostomy site?
,a) Inspect the area around the stoma, recommend using a barrier cream, and ensure the
colostomy bag is properly fitted (✔️)
b) Advise the patient to increase their fluid intake to reduce irritation
c) Suggest the patient see their physician for a different type of colostomy bag
d) Refrain from inspecting the area and only report the issue to the healthcare team
Rationale: Inspecting the stoma area, recommending a barrier cream, and ensuring proper fitting
of the colostomy bag can help prevent and manage skin irritation. Increased fluid intake is not
directly related to stoma care, and proper inspection is crucial.
5. A PSW is assisting a patient with mobility issues who requires help with transferring
from a bed to a wheelchair. What is the best technique for the PSW to use to ensure the
patient’s safety and comfort during the transfer?
a) Use a transfer belt to provide stability and support while using proper body mechanics
to move the patient (✔️)
b) Ask the patient to try transferring themselves with minimal assistance
c) Perform the transfer quickly to minimize the risk of falls
d) Use a mechanical lift without explaining the process to the patient
Rationale: Using a transfer belt and proper body mechanics ensures safety and comfort during
the transfer. Asking the patient to transfer themselves, rushing the transfer, or using a mechanical
lift without explanation can increase the risk of injury.
, 6. A PSW is providing personal care for a patient with chronic heart failure who is
experiencing shortness of breath. The patient reports feeling more comfortable when
sitting upright. What should the PSW do to best support the patient’s comfort and manage
their symptoms?
a) Assist the patient in sitting up in a high Fowler's position and monitor their respiratory
status closely (✔️)
b) Encourage the patient to lie flat in bed to rest more effectively
c) Provide supplemental oxygen without consulting the healthcare team
d) Limit fluid intake to reduce the patient’s shortness of breath
Rationale: Assisting the patient to sit up in a high Fowler's position can alleviate shortness of
breath and improve comfort. Lying flat, providing oxygen without a prescription, or limiting
fluids may not address the underlying issue effectively.
7. A PSW is caring for a patient who is at risk of developing pressure ulcers due to
immobility. What preventive measure should the PSW implement to reduce the risk of
pressure ulcer formation?
a) Reposition the patient every two hours and use pressure-relieving devices such as special
mattresses or cushions (✔️)
b) Increase the patient's caloric intake to promote healing
c) Encourage the patient to perform range-of-motion exercises independently
d) Apply topical creams daily without repositioning the patient
